Durham's Lincoln Hospital was founded by Dr. Aaron M. Moore, Dr. Stanford L. Warren, and John Merrick, and funded in part by Washington Duke, a wealthy local businessman, who gave several thousand dollars toward the first building. The hospital, which was a cooperative effort between local blacks and whites, opened its doors in August 1901 with the goal of serving the community's African Americans. However, because there were so few hospitals in the South that were open to African Americans, patients came from all over, including as far away as South Carolina and Virginia. The 1938 Annual Report traces the progress of the hospital from its founding, noting the addition of a school of nursing and training programs for doctors, residents, and personnel from other hospitals; expansion and improvements to hospital facilities; and a record of serving all citizens regardless of their ability to pay. The report's sections cover committees and staff, hospital services and patient care, training programs, funding, and needs. Letters of praise and congratulation from prominent individuals, organizations, and government officials conclude the report.